How to install OS on SCSI with LSI Logic megaraid 32-2e controller?

mikka84

mikka84

mikka84

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Ok I finally got my LSI logic megeraid up and running (i get the ctrl+m) i set up the 2 cheetah in raid 0 64kb strip size. The problem start when i try to install windows xp.

When I go into windows installation it gives me "press F6 to install third aprty SCSI or SATA drivers", so I press f6. after loading sum drivers it gives me an option to install it and I get 4 options of drivers:
MegaRAID SCSI Enterprise 1200
MegaRAID SCSI Enterprise 1500
MegaRAID SCSI Enterprise 1600
MegaRAID SCSI Elite 1650/1700

Now i tried every single one of them and none will work. When i get to the screen where you get to select different drives to install your OS on i get nothing (I only have SCSI array connected when I'm trying to install windows, I tried with WD raptor and it sees it fine, but not the SCSI array). After that my only option is to press f3 to restart th whole system.

Any help would be highly appreciated, cause im completely outta potions at this point sice this is the 1st time I am fiddling with SCSI. I'm pretty sure that my controller is not Dell PERC4 but the original LSI megaraid, so I dont think I have to flash the bios on it.

thanx
 
Hmm, not sure, i was reading up on 2cpu and [H]ard forums and think there are a few poele that already run these controller cards in vista. Although I can always give it a try with xp64, though heared its not all that good for gaming...
 
mikka84 said:
Hmm, not sure, i was reading up on 2cpu and [H]ard forums and think there are a few poele that already run these controller cards in vista. Although I can always give it a try with xp64, though heared its not all that good for gaming...
Click to expand...

I would have a look at planetamd64.com as most of them use x64 for gaming and im about to start using it too.

Andy
 
Right. One at a time:

Driver - for your F6 driver you need the one for the Lsi Megaraid 320 2e found HERE - Get the one for XP obviously! Being a lucky so-and-so you have XP drivers provided for you unlike us poor Dell suckers who have to hack them :p

Using you array to boot:

Bios: On my DFI it's Advanced Bios-> HDD Boot Priority -> Bootable Add in Cards
It did NOT work when I selected the Dell (Lsi) scsi card - MUST be the Add in card option!)

Scsi Bios: Configuration -> Specify Boot Drive: Select whichever logical drive you want to boot off!

Run the Windows setup - F6 - Add the 320 2e driver - install windows and you're off.

Beware: If you have any sata/pata drives I recommend disconnecting them throughout the install - they will steal the early drive letters (c: d: etc...) and you'll end up with Windows installed on a random drive eg f: :rolleyes: Not a problem - but a pain in the bottom!

Shout if you need more.
 
Although I use a Adaptec 39320 PCI-X the method of getting os on my 15k Atlas II's is the same.
I hate floppy’s and have not installed them in computers for years now, so to get xp pro on my scsi setup I simply slipstream my scsi controller drivers into xp using the excellent nLite
 
Right - Been playing around with the MegaRaid power console (seriously - it's awesome - get it!) and benching my drives 2 at a time to work out the best settings... It made almost no difference whether you put them both on one Channel are used both - so your choice - best I could manage was:

2drive.jpg


That's using 2x15k.4 72Gb Cheetahs
128K stripe, Write Back, Read Ahead, Direct IO - 140+mb/s out of 2 drives is pretty good! :D

As you can see the drives are the limiting factor as they slow down as they get to the inside of the platter. Need to get a couple more to max out the controller :p I'm starting a new thread with my benchies - when it's done I'll link it in here so you can see what I've done with my 4!

EDIT:

Here
 
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Just as an addendum to that - I know that the xp 64bit came with the drivers built in so I didn't even have to do the F6 trick - if you're lucky it might be the same for Vista
 
Have you tried with the Server Drivers? Failing that the NT drivers seem to work with everything! I've just had a look on the Dell site and they don't have anything out for Vista 32/64 yet either.

Drivers for 64 bit OS of PERC4e are including in microsoft release
Click to expand...

Seems quite a few guys have got the Dell version to work straight off the bat - no drivers required - not sure if this holds true for the MegaRAID's - might have to force it to use the Dell Drivers - how ironic if true :p

Whole thread - plus many other good ones covering these cards found here
 
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